Trade RoutesIn the period in which the Islam religion was expanding, trade routes were a key factor. Muslims traded a lot over seas, specifically the Mediterrranean Sea, and the Indian Ocean. Trading over the Mediterranean helped spread Islam to other areas throughout Europe. Alhough the Muslims traded a lot over seas, they also had roads that went to China and India. All of the trading through the empire helped the Muslims become wealthy. Their empires peaked from all of this and they built large, rich cities such as Baghdad, Cordoba, and Damascus. Overall trading helped enrich the Muslim culture, and spread the religion of Islam.